Kuki bodies protest against construction of border fencing in Manipur

Imphal: Deployment of central security forces along the Manipur-Myanmar border has come under attack by the powerful Kuki organisations expressing its deep resentment against the central government’s persistent effort to construct border fencing.

Khaikhohauh Gangte, General Secretary of the Kuki Inpi Manipur, and Letkhose Mate, Joint Secretary of the Kuki Chifs’ Association Manipur made a joint statement on this issue on Friday.

Despite opposition and previous protests, the government is now aggressively pushing for the resumption of the border wall construction, even deploying central forces to enforce its decision, the statement said.

Stating that construction of the border fence poses a severe threat to the cultural heritage and way of life of the Indigenous Kuki people in Manipur, the Kuki bodies stated that the Border Management in Manipur and the northeast region should not come at the cost of disenfranchising Indigenous communities, as it will only exacerbate tensions and hinder peace and development in the region.

The construction of the border fence must cease immediately to safeguard the rights and well-being of the indigenous people.

The persistence of the central government in pursuing the construction of border fencing in Manipur despite opposition from the Indigenous communities highlights the need for a more inclusive and rights-based approach to border management.

By prioritizing national security over human rights, the government risks further alienating and marginalizing the very people it is meant to protect, it stated.

India shares a 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar which passes through states like Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

All these states currently have FMR, which was implemented in 2018 as a part of India’s Act East policy.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and would construct border fencing walls.